Crown prosecutors will review the evidence collected by Vancouver police investigators related to the sexual misconduct allegations against Jake Virtanen.
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The police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against former Vancouver Canuck hockey player Jake Virtanen is now in the hands of Crown prosecutors.
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Vancouver police began their investigation in May after speaking with a woman who made allegations against Virtanen on social media.
Spokesperson for VPD Const. Tania Visintin told Postmedia on Friday that the police file had recently been turned over to prosecutors.
“We are waiting to know if there will be approval of charges or not,” he said.
He said that while the investigators turned over their evidence to Crown, the police did not consider the investigation closed.
“It is not finished. Crown is reviewing the file, ”he said. “They could accept it and approve the charges, or suggest other tasks be done before approving it. Or just reject it all together. I really won’t know where it is until Crown gives us their review. “
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After allegations were made against Virtanen on social media in late April, the Canucks put Virtanen on leave. They also launched their own independent investigation.
When asked earlier this month if their investigation could be considered concluded, the Canuckes responded with a statement: “We will not be able to comment on our investigation of Jake Virtanen which was conducted by an outside law firm because there is an active Police investigation. from Vancouver. on going “.
Canucks general manager Jim Benning gave a similar response Thursday, saying he could not comment on the status of the investigation until the team had more news from police.
A woman also filed a lawsuit in the British Columbia Supreme Court against Virtanen, alleging that he sexually assaulted her at a West Vancouver hotel in September 2017. Virtanen filed an answer with the court denying the allegations, saying their sexual relationships were consensual. . He asked for the claim to be dismissed and seeks special costs against the plaintiff due to the nature of the allegations.
None of the accusations against Virtanen has been proven in court.
Virtanen was bought by the Canucks this summer and then signed with a team in Russia for the 2021-22 season.
Reference-theprovince.com